Effects of water osmolarity on tadpoles of the túngara frog
Poster Number
08C
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Marcos Gridi-Papp
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Tadpoles (amphibian larvae) are found in most freshwater environments, from fast-flowing streams or rivers, to large ponds, temporary rain puddles, or even in the water collected between the leaves of some plants after rain. The water composition requirements of tropical tadpoles have not yet been established in detail. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of medium osmolarity on tadpole growth. Fifty tadpoles were taken haphazardly from each of 9 broods. They were further separated into 5 baskets, that held 10 tadpoles each, and were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments of solute concentration: 0 mg/l, 175 mg/l, 350 mg/l, 700 mg/l, 1400 mg/l. Each tank contained 1 basket with 10 tadpoles from each of the 9 broods. The solute in all of the treatments was composed of eleven ions added in a proportion that approximated those found in natural surface waters. The tadpoles were fed fish food, and pictures of each basket were taken daily to monitor the growth of the tadpoles. Tadpoles were fed every morning, and any leftover food was siphoned out at the end of the day. Nitrate levels, pH, temperature, and water hardness were all monitored to evaluate the water quality. The results of this experiment will identify the most beneficial water osmolarity for tadpoles. This will advance the current understanding of developmental physiology in amphibians.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
29-4-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
29-4-2017 12:00 PM
Effects of water osmolarity on tadpoles of the túngara frog
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Tadpoles (amphibian larvae) are found in most freshwater environments, from fast-flowing streams or rivers, to large ponds, temporary rain puddles, or even in the water collected between the leaves of some plants after rain. The water composition requirements of tropical tadpoles have not yet been established in detail. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of medium osmolarity on tadpole growth. Fifty tadpoles were taken haphazardly from each of 9 broods. They were further separated into 5 baskets, that held 10 tadpoles each, and were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments of solute concentration: 0 mg/l, 175 mg/l, 350 mg/l, 700 mg/l, 1400 mg/l. Each tank contained 1 basket with 10 tadpoles from each of the 9 broods. The solute in all of the treatments was composed of eleven ions added in a proportion that approximated those found in natural surface waters. The tadpoles were fed fish food, and pictures of each basket were taken daily to monitor the growth of the tadpoles. Tadpoles were fed every morning, and any leftover food was siphoned out at the end of the day. Nitrate levels, pH, temperature, and water hardness were all monitored to evaluate the water quality. The results of this experiment will identify the most beneficial water osmolarity for tadpoles. This will advance the current understanding of developmental physiology in amphibians.